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Paula do Vale Pereira
Assistant Professor, Aerospace Engineering, Florida Institute of Technology
Monday, Mar. 18 | 9:30 a.m. | AERO 111

Abstract: Exploring planets and moons in the outer solar system is key to understanding planetary habitability, life formation, and several other questions of multiple scientific domains. However, as we continue to design exploration missions headed to those bodies, new technological developments are required, with needs ranging from innovative mission architectures to implementing novel hardware designs. In this talk, we will go over three branches of research that could help accelerate deep space exploration technology: (i) the ideation of innovative exploration architectures, such as models of swarms of small spacecraft and proof-of-concept validations of mobility systems and infrastructure establishing tools; (ii) the maturing of “next decade” exploration technology, which are elements at currently low to mid technology readiness levels, focusing on probes for descending through ice and exploring the hidden oceans of Europa and Enceladus; and (iii) the in-orbit validation of enabling technologies in low earth orbit (LEO), including thermomechanical solutions and attitude control tools that are crucial for spacecraft in deep space. The talk will also include links between those research topics and classes that could be added to the current curriculum to further student success. Finally, connections will be drawn between the research projects and the overall space exploration community, highlighting technical relationships and opportunities for community involvement.

Bio: Dr. Paula do Vale Pereira is currently an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the Florida Institute of Technology. She directs the Space Exploration and Spacecraft Engineering (SPACE) Laboratory, where she performs research on technology development for the exploration of deep space, mainly through the use of small spacecraft and probes for the exploration of Ocean Worlds, such as Europa and Enceladus. She has worked on the development, integration, testing, and operations of three spacecraft and the development, testing, and modeling of melt probes for subsurface descent in the cryogenic vacuum ice found in icy moons in the outer solar system.

Dr. do Vale Pereira received her Ph.D. in Space Systems and M.Sc. in Aerospace Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Dr. do Vale Pereira has worked as a Visiting Researcher at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a Graduate Researcher at Stone Aerospace, and an Optical and Satellite Systems Intern at Facebook Connectivity Labs. Dr. do Vale Pereira has published a patent, two book chapters, more than 30 papers, and has over 600 citations. She is the chair of Technical Affairs of the AIAA Small Satellite Technical Committee, a member of the AIAA Space Exploration Integration Committee, and Co-Lead of the Technology Subgroup of the Ocean Worlds Working Group, chartered by NASA’s Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG) to develop a technology roadmap for exploring Ocean Worlds. She is also a member of the American Astronomical Society (AAS), the American Geophysical Union (AGU), and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). She has received various awards, including the AAS Molly Macauley Award, the Aviation Week/AIAA 20 Twenties Award, the TVML fellowship, and the Amelia Earhart Fellowship. Finally, she has mentored over 50 students (graduate and undergraduate) and has excellent teaching evaluation scores.